Facility Dogs
Our Facility dogs live and work with a professional who utilizes the dog to help people with autism or related disabilities meet their goals during either therapy sessions or school days.
ELIGIBILITY
Good Dog! Facility dogs are placed with professionals such as teachers, principals, and therapists who work in facilities serving children with autism and related disabilities. The handler is a professional who utilizes the highly trained dog to help children with autism and developmental disabilities meet their goals during therapy sessions or school days.
COST OF
A DOG
How much does it cost to change a life? Good Dog! needs to raise $26,000 to raise, care and train each dog as well as educate and support each handler. With the help of our Family Fundraising Director, Facility dog handlers accepted into the Good Dog! program pay or fundraise $16,000. The remaining $10,000 is provided through the Good Dog! Scholarship Fund.
We have seen that the love and support that families receive through fundraising can be a healing process in itself.
The Facility dog handler must also cover the cost of travel, lodging, and food for the 5-day Team Training in Southern California.
HOW TO GET
A DOG
Our process starts with an application. You will be matched with a dog based on your facility and needs. Facility dog handlers must attend a 5-day Team Training in Southern CA.
Learn more about our full application process here.
APPLY FOR A FACILITY DOG
Benefits and uses of a Good Dog! facility dog include:
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Using the dog as part of the reward system
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Reading aloud to a dog, which research has shown can help improve reading ability
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Increasing confidence and self-esteem by teaching new commands to the dog
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Overcoming fears and developing more confidence around dogs
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Learning to interact with a dog, which promotes theory of mind and improved social skills
